Future Car Technology Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) Communications

Could you image driving down the road and took your eyes away for a split second only to have your vehicle hit the brakes for you? The technology is a reality in some Honda vehicles now.

While advance collision avoidance systems use high tech infrared technology, vehicle to vehicle or V2V uses wireless communications to send information from vehicle to vehicle about their speed, direction, and location. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) says V2V systems could address 79 percent of potential vehicle crashes. With Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) the system would address up to 81 percent of all crashes. Source: Greencarcongress.

V2V has downsides

One of the drawbacks to V2V is the amount of time it would take for all vehicles to have communication benefits from V2V with some experts saying the technology wouldn’t be implemented completely until 2018 and others 2020. The answer? V2I. With V2I, it would allow all the safety benefits of V2V to be generated faster in most vehicles.

What is V2V?

Ford Motor Company has been looking at advancing V2V technology for a long time. The approach Ford is taking is to leverage driver’s smart-phones with Ford’s SYNC technology. A driver using SYNC would be able have an in-vehicle system with the ability to do a hands-free phone call in the event of an accident.

For crash avoidance Ford is implementing a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) or a modified WiFi implementation for intelligent vehicles. The WiFi or DSRC would be connected to systems such as the driver’s GPS or added to their smart-phone.

When implemented a driver gets the following benefits:

Lane-passing assistance – Intelligent cars would be able to assist the driver in lane-passing situations where they are unable to have a clear view. The vehicles would be able to communicate with each other and could warn each driver of oncoming cars to avoid head-on crashes.

Intersection Assistance – Intelligent vehicles would be able to communicate with other vehicles and would be aware of another approaching vehicle entering the intersection and alert the driver.

Mega Gas Savings – Intelligent vehicles would be able to help reduce the amount of gas wasted in traffic jams each year. The system would alert drivers of traffic congestion and minimize the amount of gasoline used. There would be a traffic management center (TMC) to communicate to each vehicle via WiFi, DSRC, satellite, or cellular.

Money Savings – With the ability to reduce crashes and minimize traffic delays, it would save drivers time and fuel costs.

Expanded Safety Applications – Intelligent vehicles would be able warn drivers if there is a stationary or parked vehicle to avoid collisions. If a vehicle ahead stops, slows suddenly or when traffic pattern changes abruptly on an extremely busy freeway.

V2I & V2V is on its way

Over 3000 Michigan Motorists are involved in a DOT (Department of Transportation) study using wireless vehicle to vehicle (V2V) connectivity to minimize or avoid collisions, according to Car and Driver. If the results are fair enough the DOT could make it “mandatory” for all vehicles to be equipped with V2V and/or V2I technology by 2020.

Self driving cars, autonomous vehicles, and cars talking to one another? Sounds like it is more myth than reality. On the other hand, the next vehicle you buy may abruptly stop the vehicle for you. Even General Motors is looking at advance technology to minimize vehicle accidents with pedestrians.

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